(Latin for teacher's web)- I'm no spider but I can tat a web. I started learning tatting (shuttle) and Latin the same year - MCMLXXIX.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

nuntium quinquagesimum quartum (54th post) Christmas bonanza

Despite evidence to the contrary, I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth. For some reason though, December was a very heavy "grading" month and for the first time since I fell down the stairs last year (don't ask- stupid, stupid but yes, all 13 steps), I've been able to ride my bike. Not outside (!!) which is my preference. Not in the winter, of course, but instead in the basement amidst boxes, spare mattresses and the freezer. The laptop allows me to watch hulu so I can endure the 40 minutes of pedaling without going anywhere.

But let's get to the tatting!

I've made all sorts of things and some of them are multiples of the same. I took some tatting to school and made a little display to sell them to my colleagues. I sold a 8 pairs of snowflake earrings but only a few flake ornaments. Weird! I priced the ornaments so low, I thought I'd get rid of them but not so.

I saw it on Tatting Fool's blog and I think somewhere else earlier (maybe Ambitatterous?) and I liked the split ring idea for it instead of SSSR. I don't mind them but I like the "sturdiness" of the split ring. But I wanted her skirt to be skinnier so I tried this.

motif #3

What do you think?

Then I saw these gorgeous 3d ornament balls on Jolimama's blog. Look at hers because mine result here isn't quite the same...

flat and tiny!

Balloon to blow up and give it shape- thank goodness I have no shortage of hot air!

Looks round here....

motif #4 - the traditional Christmas marshmallow

And Jolimama was SO patient and helpful. She sent me advice and the patterns (of which I chose the Jane Eborall's) and "how to", even though she speaks Hungarian and I certainly don't . Ha-ha! My sister says it looks like a marshmallow. I said, "Yep, it's the traditional Christmas marshmallow!"

I can't help singing Feliz Navidad every time I see this little sweetheart.

I also decided to try the inTatters Christmas exchange. Now that was really hard because I'd never done it before and didn't really know what to send. But it was fun and it was extra fun to get something too! My partner was Marie N in Australia (now, those were fun stamps) and she sent the nicest things! Lookie...

Marie designed the motif and decorated the doll/pin cushion.

Like I'd stick a pin in this lovely gal!

I also wanted to try another wreath with beads. But I don't like it very well, too lumpy. I made it last year as instructed and it was great-- but this is not so nice. The pattern is from LaRae Mikulecky. I can't find it again to make a link, here is her website. There are lovely things there, don't base your opinion on this!

motif #5

And for Christmas my family took my broad hints and got me this too. A La Cossette shuttle! Thanks, Mom and Dad!!!! (They don't read this but just in case...)

I just giggle when I use it! Isn't he just cute?

Even though we had a brown Christmas, I've been commissioned by my sister to make flakes so here they are. Same motifs as before, Elizabeth Zipay's and Decoromana's. EXCEPT I was a smartie pants. Thought I didn't need to look at the pattern and ended up with these! They're just okay, not like the lovely ones that Decoromana designed! Don't worry, Sis, I'll make the right ones for you.

Inadvertent motif #6 on left(not as nice as Decoromana's AND Elizabeth Zipay's on the right)

And lastly, Margaret sent me back a metal Boye shuttle which I gave her and included this gorgeous cross- Thank you, Margaret! I was just chuckling the other day about how everyone I know has a tatted bookmark but me!!

So happy you like the little shuttle sock - that was a lot of fun to do! I might have to make it an annual tradition.

I love the ornament balls - that's the second pattern you've posted from Jolimama but I can't find either. I'd love to make both the ball and the 3d angel she has on her blog. They are gorgeous.

I love the angel with the narrower skirt - did it require stopping and adding more thread? I made my first Angel from that pattern the other day and it was easier than I thought. I started out with the sssr but ended up with the split rings and was so happy with the result. I've been on a real angel kick this year.

Congrats on all the pretty things. your shuttle looks like she/he could skate right through all the tatting you are doing. I missed your newsy posts. welcome back hope the rest of the school year will go smoothly.

My goodness - this is quite a post! You had a busy December at work, yet still did some significant tatting! I like the 'slimmed down' angel, and the shuttle is so 'cool' (penguin pun!) Also love the wreath!

I've always been interested in 3-D tatting (very few patterns available in the '90s) so I designed two 3-D balls in '92. I tatted two curved halves (easy tatting) to conform to a styrofoam ball, then stiffened each half (Aleene's stiffener), and laboriously sewed the two halves together. (Haven't shown the ornaments yet.)

At that time I wasn't aware of the 'balloon trick' and later saw it described (but not shown) in a crochet magazine. (Great photos here!) I have yet to try it to 'refresh' my 20-year old ornaments. I'm delighted to see Jolimama's blog and ideas and amazed she was able to get 'flat' pieces to conform to a spherical shape. Many possibilities!

I am so glad you received my card and your bookmark, next timw I will have to think of something else to send you.I love your angel its a lovely pattern, I will try and find that one, I also like your variation. Its strange I made a lot of snowflakes and angels this year but the snowflakes sold slowly and the angels just sat and looked lovely. I dont think people had the money for oraments this year.Your new shuttle is gorgeous.I hope you had a lovely chrismtas and I wish you and your family a very happy new year.Margaret

Everything looks so wonderful!! I love the angels and the "marshmallow" ornaments!! :)Even if you don't like your wreath, I think it's great and could be a great gift! :)And your snowflakes are sweet too! :)

It is always a special pleasure reading your posts ( rarely or not ) because they have a hidden humor between the lines...they make me feel good, make me learn something new, make me want more...:)more tatting, more reading your life stories...someday I will say "more latin" ? :D who knows ..:))Keeping an eye here...;)T.